Guest Speaker: Dr. Pieter Offringa

Posted by Rtn.Meredith Boekhoudt

Pediatrician Dr. Pieter Offringa honored our club with a presentation on infant care on St. Maarten.

On Tuesday, August 5th, Dr. Offringa was present as our Guest Speaker on the topic of infant care and the needs for proper care of newborns.

Dr. Offringa took us back to when he started on St. Maarten 15 years ago. He mentioned the challenges he encountered as a pediatrician, the improvements he has seen since then and the current needs for proper care of new borns.

For instance, he mentioned that a much needed piece of equipment like incubators cost at minimum EURO 17,500. With the current exchange rate that is roughly US$ 27,500.

The machines have an economical lifespan of 8 to 10 years. Most of their machines are currently being used beyond that time.

Our Club, in connection with our RI President D.K. Lee's goal to eliminate preventable infant deaths, by mouth of our Club President Claret Connor, expressed the hope to be able to assist the Sint Maarten Medical Center - Pediatric Ward with the much needed essential equipment.